Anyone have any experience with these Coilovers.

It's either these or Tein SS...

Thanks

Wozza

http://www.kts-web.com/overseas/product/damper/db.html

For RX 7 FD3S 1997

W

 

I'm VERY weary of those relative newcomers to the market like KTS. Have a read of this to see what I'm talking about: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123666252

Tein has been around a lot longer with a good reputation, I've seen lots of good shock dynos from them, they last a long time and perform well. Between them and KTS, Tein every day of the week.

 

KTS has been around in japan for like 15 years. they've been widely run in the US by 240sx people for the past 3 or 4 years at least.

the reputation is generally solid and they sell replacement shock units (rather than rebuild your old ones)

they were widely recommended up to a a year or two ago, but recently powered by max and stance have taken their place in the communally accepted entry level coilover department.

z32 KTS dyno courtesy of splparts.com, a KTS coilover vendor
http://www.splparts.com/main4/parts/...ynoRearZ32.jpg

warranty info (for KTS purchased from spl)
http://www.splparts.com/main4/parts/...TSwarranty.htm

besides that, can't say much. have not driven on them.
no widely available dyno information (like most coilovers).

 

I have them on my FC and they are pretty harsh compared to my old FC that had Tein Flex. Could be due to the higher spring rates...that and I think my front struts are already leaking =/ only had them for 2 years and put maybe 5k miles on them if that. I'd go with Tein.

 

To me, and many others, that's a big downside, because that'll probably mean that you can't get the shocks re-valved if you change spring rates much or if you're unhappy with the stock valving. That is a KEY feature of a serious shock for performance use.

 

I will be picking up a set of the KTS SC Coilovers in the next couple days as it was on clearance for only $980 CAD.

After doing some research, they seem to have a great track record in Japan as aznpoopy mentioned. One thing that is really great about them is that when they entered the "cheap/affordable" market they offered alot of options which is ideal and preferable over other brands.

For $1100 what alternative can you buy that has all of these: (Tein Flex is roughly $1500)
- Shock is 15-way adjustable. Plated Steel Shock Shell,
- Adjustable Shock Length for Height Adjustment while maximizing stroke,
- Pillow Ball Upper Mounts,
- High Pressure Single Tube Construction,
- Double Oil Seal
- Dust Boots
- Bump Rubbers,
- Rust-proof,
- Overhaul Available. With Service Tools: Wrench 2 pieces.

Originally I was looking at Stance, but due to their popularity they have increased their $1100 model to about $1200-1300.

It is also said (no reference) that the springs for KTS is made in the same factory as HKS Hipermax Coilovers.

Even if the coilovers leak within 2 years, it will be ample time to replace the coilover with a more quality brand such as Zeal. For me this is an ideal choice to buy as beginner in motorsports and performance driver's ed.

Cheers

 

I don't understand the logic here. Buy a cheaper brand now, and save up for more expensive ones later? So you buy cheap ones now ($1,000), then later buy expensive ones ($2,000) for a total of $3,000. Why don't you just save up that extra $1k now, so your not throwing away $1k later? I just don't understand why people are so willing to skimp on things now in hopes of upgrading later. Here's another idea, buy some TEIN FLEX or MONFLEX. They are moderately priced, have a great track record and documented dyno sheets. They are rebuildable and are for the most part modular, in that they can be changed around for a more aggressive "track" settings such as higher spring rates and factory backed valving changes. Ohh...... and if you like gadgets, they can come with the nifty EDFC for in car dampening changes if you want to spend a little more. This way there's a reasonable entry price. Then later if your more track serious you can spend some money (less then a new set of high end coils) to change things around (IE: valving/spring rates) and you don't loose your initial investment. Just an idea, I'm no TEIN rep.

This penny pinching mentality always ends up with the person throwing loads of money away later. Another example (yes, getting off topic) are these cheap garbage turbo "kits" that have junk manifolds and the typical ChinaCharger turbo and knock off BOV's and WG's. I see guys skimp on an IMPORTANT component on their cars, only to spend loads more money down the road having to buy all those components again, but higher quality because they now "get" why those parts were junk in the first place. Not too mention all the guys that blew their engines for skimping on much important things like engine management and fuel systems. They blow their engines and now there's a cost of a rebuild to content with (much more expensive now then if they just did it correct from the get go). That's if they stay in the rotary game and don't sell off their now blown car and or part it out (great, another RX that has been butchered and off the road). Sorry for the rant, I'm not trying to be a jerk, just trying to understand the "buy cheap now, eventually I'll upgrade later." thing. I realise buying cheaper coilovers isn't going to ruin anyones car, and if they are content with them, good for them!! Just replying to those who want to upgrade later down the road, why buy cheap now only to spend more later and loose that initial investment.

~Mike..............

 

Cheaper Brand may not be cheaper quality. Look at Stance, people were skeptical with them when they first came out.

First: Tein Flex (quote: http://www.tein.com/products/flex.html)
Starts at:
$1690US
Add: Conversion rate = roughly 300
Shipping + Customs/Duty = 300

I am not going to shell out $2000+ on coilovers if I don't know what I am looking for yet because I don't have years of track experience yet. And if this isn't the right coilover for the type of racing I want to do then I will have to spend another $2000 to buy different ones.

So this isn't because I'm cheap and not willing to spend money, it just doesn't make sense to spend so much money on coilovers when you don't have the experience/skill to know what to look for.

Also:
By Upgrading I mean by extremes: from intro to racing coilovers

Your theory of add EDFC and revalving comes close to the cost better quality coilovers.

For $2500-3000
I can purchase Cusco Zero line and Zeal Super functions.

My point is, the reason why i'm "investing" in "cheaper" coilovers now, is that I don't want to buy the track-proven coilovers until I know how to use them properly, then that will be money well spent.

 

That's the MSRP, no one sells for that. Shop around and you can find much better deals and depending on what the exchange rate is and calculating for more shipping and duty from the US, getting from a Canadian supplier could be a fair bit less.

 

KTS is VERY far from new. I had KTS suspension arms an coilovers on my Skyline and LOVED them. I don't understand why everyone is so gungho about Teins... I've been in cars with them and personally find them very rough.


KTS, Stance or Zeal.

Pick one of those and you will be happy.




PS. OP, if you want KTS coils... PM me. I can give you the contact info of the guy who I purchased my items from. He is a KTS dealer in Japan.

 

umm...KTS and Ksport are two totally different companies....

 

Umm, I know, I never said they were the same. I merely posted a link showing one potential pitfall of cheap coilovers.